Microsoft Unveils Retro Gaming on Game Pass: Starts with 50+ Activision Titles from 80s-90s

Microsoft has exciting news for retro gaming enthusiasts with the launch of Retro Classics with Game Pass, in partnership with Antstream Arcade. This initiative brings over 50 classic Activision games from the 80s and 90s directly to Game Pass members, including beloved titles like Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!. Some of these games date back an impressive 45 years, and for the first time, players can save their progress to continue their adventures later.

This move underscores Microsoft's dedication to game preservation and backwards compatibility. Retro Classics with Game Pass is accessible to all Game Pass membership tiers in regions where the service is offered. Microsoft plans to continually expand the Retro Classics collection, aiming to include over 100 classic games from Activision and Blizzard’s archives, with new additions expected monthly.

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Here's the launch lineup for Retro Classics with Game Pass:

• Activision prototype #1
• Atlantis
• Atlantis II
• Barnstorming
• Baseball
• Beamrider
• Bloody Human Freeway
• Boxing
• Bridge
• Caesar II
• Checkers
• Chopper Command
• Commando
• Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood
• Cosmic Ark
• Crackpots
• Decathlon
• Demon Attack
• Dolphin
• Dragster
• Enduro
• Fathom
• Fire Fighter
• Fishing Derby
• Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist
• Freeway
• Grand Prix
• H.E.R.O.
• Kaboom!
• Laser Blast
• MechWarrior
• MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat
• Megamania
• Pitfall II: Lost Caverns
• Pitfall!
• Police Quest 1
• Pressure Cooker
• Riddle of the Sphinx
• River Raid
• River Raid II
• Robot Tank
• Sky Jinks
• Space Quest 2
• Space Quest 6
• Space Treat Deluxe
• Spider Fighter
• Star Voyager
• Tennis
• The Adventures of Willy Beamish
• The Dagger of Amon Ra
• Thwocker
• Title Match Pro Wrestling
• Torin's Passage
• Trick Shot
• Vault Assault
• Venetian Blinds
• Zork I
• Zork Zero
• Frostbite
• Quest for Glory 1

Microsoft's official statement highlights the seamless gaming experience offered by Retro Classics across various platforms, including Xbox consoles, PCs via the Xbox app, and cloud gaming on supported devices like LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, and Meta Quest headsets. Game Pass members can easily access Retro Classics by searching and installing the feature on their preferred device. The service also introduces unique challenges, new achievements, and the innovative ability to save and reload progress in many of these classic titles.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of the confirmation of Wave 2 of Xbox Game Pass’ May 2025 lineup and the news that Hellblade 2 will be available on PS5 this summer.